*sigh* just watching the Aussie version of This Morning and they've done a segment on the Klee Kai - they did full breed history (although how a cross between Alaskan Huskies and Schipperkes can be a pedigree dog I don't know!), said how they're great apartment dogs and as they're very rare they cost $5,000 AU (£3200 GPB) and the breeder is trying to get them registered with the kennel club.

They had a bitch and a litter of pups (prob about 7 weeks) and they're really odd looking dogs. The segment was really pushing the breed and added the obligatory celebrity status to the breed by showing a picture of Miley Cyrus with her AKK.

Wonder how long it'll be before they're the latest must have dogs over here :(

We are always left mouth wide open when ridiculous prices are charged for cross breeds, this is definitely one of those. I too do not understand how they can go into breed history when not even a recognised breed by the KC, really bugs me to death that a name and breed are given to what are just crosses until recognised by the official authority on breeds, it just should not be allowed, they should be shown and acknowledged as cross breeds not a 'breed' if people still like them and want to buy one so be it, but they should not be mislead that they are actually a 'breed', because they and others like them are not!

The public are misled all the time and actually believe these and other crosses are a breed, can't tell you how many times I've had a look of utter confusion and often annoyance when I've ever tried to say any crosses are not a breed.

It is very wrong how all these crosses are marketed, shame there isn't a law that dictates you are not allowed to make up breed names and sell to the public as these names unless verified by the KC.  The horrendous prices would not be available then if they had to be publicised as crosses instead of 'rare'.

This cross is much cheaper in the USA than in Australia but I dare say we will fall in line with the Aussie price, no doubt they will be seen over here too.

But saying that, **slapped hand** I do like them and can see the appeal, but wouldn't pay more than £200 for a cross breed, if ever recognised then the price could then be set higher.

In Canada a diog cannto be described as purebred unless it is registered with the Canadian or other recognised kennel club.

http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/canadian_laws.htm

What is a "Purebred" Dog?
Defined by the Canada Animal Pedigree Act, a purebred dog is a dog that has parents of the same breed that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.  One can NOT sell a dog as purebred without papers from the registry as well it is ILLEGAL in Canada to charge extra money for those papers!  

Dogs with parents of two different purebreds does NOT make the dog a purebred, lately we see fancy new names for mutts aka the 'doodles', 'bugs', 'morkies', etc these mixes, aka mutts, they are not purebred, no matter what they tell you, they are sure cute, but are NOT purebred.  There also some newer registries that are not very strict and will simply allow any dog to be registered, be careful and be aware and educate yourself.

To be fair I think the Alaskan Klee Kai have been bred well past the first generations and breed true, and have a breed standard, breed club and are recognised by the UKC, in teh Northern breeds grouping.  The UKC is the other reputable US canine registry and show working organisation. http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/Home  Many peopel shwo and compete in both AKC adn UKC events.  The latter has more owner handlers, adn peopel interested in various disciplines.

http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/bb.html
excellent page re designer crosse.

I know of someone on another forum in the UK who was just imported one from America.

Canada appear to have got it just right, shame we do not adopt the same over here, it's about time. The poor public really do not understand any of it and are duped constantly with all of these 'breed' names and really believe they have a 'new' breed. Feel so sorry for them, it should have been stamped out years ago, but seems no-one has brought the issue forward, you would think that the KC would do something but they never say a word either.

I've often wondered whether or not this would be covered by trading standards - misleading description and fraud come to mind.   

But I doubt anyone stupid enough to pay £0000s for a pup would ever admit even to themselves that they had been duped.   It's the emperors new clothes

I would love to see it tested in court, especially with the poos, where they are described as non-shedding, but aren't.

It's a huge business in cats too, just look at the Bengals and Savannahs -  thousands for a 'hybrid' that may or may not be what you wanted and may or may not be tame!

It's a huge business in cats too, just look at the Bengals and Savannahs -  thousands for a 'hybrid' that may or may not be what you wanted and may or may not be tame!

But a Bengal is a fully recognised breed with championship status and no F1, F2 or even F3 can be GCCF registered these days.

AKK have I think been recognized by some of the American Kennel Clubs for some while there are 3 sizes - what puzzles me is what was the need, there are plenty of spitz breeds of different sizes anyway.

> what puzzles me is what was the need, there are plenty of spitz breeds of different sizes anyway.

I agree Nova - why not get a German Spitz? I've always thought that about the various 'doodles' too, why not just get a poodle? Perfectly nice, inoffensive breed and you know exactly what it will look like when it grows up too!

It is now, but that wasn't how they started off, according to the blurb when they first were bred ;-)

Personally I love the look of the Bengal, but the origins put me off :-(     

But I doubt anyone stupid enough to pay £0000s for a pup would ever admit even to themselves that they had been duped.   It's the emperors new clothes


Now there´s a thought!  I have this wonderful very rare-breed puppy for sale.  Only £20,000.  Of course, you can only see it if you are really knowledgeable about this breed and know everything there is to know about how to handle it.  LOL

The breed (and yes it is a breed) isn't as expensive in the UK, it starts getting more expensive obviously if you import dogs from USA. The Alaskan Klee Kai, although a relatively new breed, around 50 years old, breeds true, is registered with the UKC in America and has a standard and breed clubs in USA and UK.
In the UK there are only a small handful of breeders, they only have small litters 1-4 pups, and the community surrounding the breed work hard to make sure people are very informed and have met dogs before they make a decision. As there is usually a long wait, anyone not serious enough gives up and goes for a different breed.